Imagine Huntsville
Ideas

Submit an Idea

Submit your idea here. Craft an eye-catching title and compelling description to win support for your idea. Specify the campaign to which the idea belongs and assign tags to make your idea easily searchable.

Answer all the questions for a complete idea submission. Complete ideas are easier to implement.

I have had several requests from friends regarding the recent renovation of Big Spring Park downtown. All of them want the islands put back into the park, for a variety of reasons. It gives the birds a home, where they can be safe away from human populations when they want. Also, it makes the park more interesting, beautiful, and enjoyable.

1) One centralized clock tower on each side of the park (east and west). Yes, most of us have cell phones but some children/runners/elderly do not, plus it would be aesthetically pleasing.
2) Either do some type of filtration for all of the water fountains to make it potable (with signage stating it is safe to drink) or do away with them entirely. Paint is peeling and if they are unusable, why keep them?
3) Pipe
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A cinder track (or even gravel) or rubberized track around the Big Springs Park area would encourage Huntsvillians to exercise more and give those of us who already exercise a nice venue to run laps on a soft surface. Sidewalks are bad surfaces for running, and Huntsville has no cinder track at all. The only rubberized tracks for use by the public are far from downtown.

What do we love in the South? College Football!! Why not integrate this into the many activities going on at Big Spring Park? I believe this could be a great community event. We could do a setup similar to the Movies In The Park on a big screen for night games, have food trucks, and (if permitted by the city) beverages for sale by local craft beer breweries such as Straight To Ale, Brew Stooges, etc. It would be
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Campaigns

Here in the sidebar is the list of current campaigns.
Campaigns are used to group ideas around topics, processes or desired outcomes. Once you're done with this tour, a great way to start exploring is to check out the campaigns.

What do you think about the City of Huntsville's proposed "Wayfinding" signage plan for downtown?

A wayfinding plan addresses directional signage for motorists and pedestrians. Huntsville desired a professional and consistent plan that helped residents and visitors easily locate public parking and major attractions.

The City will present the new directional signage plan for downtown Huntsville to the Planning Commission on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 5 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 308 Fountain Circle. The public is invited to attend. Once approved, the City plans to begin implementation in late summer 2014.

The new signage plan was developed by Frazier and Associates of Virginia. The company worked for the past year with a steering committee of community stakeholders to create a plan that addressed downtown functionality, image, and the context Huntsville desired.

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Expired on
02/08/2014

ARTS & CULTURE

Huntsville's new Arts & Entertainment District successfully completed its 90 day "soft opening." The City of Huntsville is now looking at expanding the districts hours and days of operation.
Tell us what you think and what ideas you have for an animated downtown that supports a live, work, learn and play environment.

Planning the Future of Downtown's Historic Buildings

The historic buildings and homes in downtown Huntsville are important part of the city's charm, culture, and southern heritage. Three of these major structures are in transition, and we want to know your ideas on what should happen next with these buildings. The two school properties are listed on the State of Alabama's historic register, and approval for renovations must be granted by the Huntsville Historic Preservation Commission. The bank building is listed on the National Historic Register.

First National Bank of Alabama on Jefferson Street.

One of Huntsville's most iconic and recognizable structures, this Greek Revival bank was built on the Courthouse Square in 1835. It served as a bank until 2010, when Regions Bank deeded the property for community use via an arrangement with the Historic Preservation Authority. The City needs a plan and funding for the building's use and maintenance. What do you think should happen to the building?

East Clinton Elementary School on East Clinton Street in Old Town.

The site of the first school to be built in Huntsville, East Clinton Elementary is the third school structure on the property (see timeline of photos at the bottom of the page). Built in 1926 in the Art Deco style, it closed in 2012. Huntsville City Schools would like to sell the property to help fund capital improvements in other areas. It also costs the school system about $39,000 - $42,000 per year just to keep the building in its current state. The school system is asking $1,564,000 million for the 3.62 acre property. The building has 39,100 SF under cover.

Annie Merts Center

Home to the Huntsville City Schools administrative offices, this former school building sits on the corner of Randolph and White Streets. Built in 1928 in the Renaissance Revival style, it served as a high school. In 1987, the building was converted into administrative offices. Huntsville City Schools is considering selling the property along with the nearby parking lot across White Street.

Evolution of Education on Clinton Avenue

Huntsville’s first public school building was built in 1882 on the site of the present East Clinton Elementary School.

This larger brick building was erected only 20 years later in 1902 on the same East Clinton Avenue site as the first frame building.

By 1938 the East Clinton Avenue site had yet another school, this Art Deco style building, which was used as East Clinton Elementary School until June 2012.

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Expired on
03/25/2013

HEALTH & FITNESS

What can Huntsville do to combat obesity and improve our diet?
The Healthy Huntsville initiative wants to know your ideas!
Team partners include the City of Huntsville, HudsonAlpha, Huntsville Hospital, Madison County Health Department and Huntsville City Schools. Many other health and wellness groups across the city have joined in the effort and are offering FREE fitness and nutrition opportunities.
Check out the FREE events on the Healthy Huntsville calendar at http://bit.ly/14OdTCV.
Join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/healthyhuntsville
On the web www.huntsvilleal.gov/healthyhuntsville

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Expired on
06/16/2013

PARKS & RECREATION

A sincere thank you to everyone who posted, commented and voted on ideas on the new John Hunt Park Master Plan. The City of Huntsville is very excited about the ideas you suggested as well as the support you showed for ideas already in the Master Plan. Thanks to Imagine Huntsville, we are pursuing many of your suggestions, and we are looking forward to creating a central park for all the citizens. We will need your help, so stay tuned!

What ideas do you have to improve Huntsville's Parks? Master plans call for more than 205 miles of greenways (we have more than 35 miles constructed), and the new John Hunt Park plan will greatly improve nearly 400 acres of recreational space.
Is there something else you would like to see?